Legislators hear varied concerns

Opinions expressed Friday on Minnesota's state budget crisis were plentiful and diverse.

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Lawmakers at the town hall meeting heard from doctors, lawyers, single mothers and parents of children with special needs.

An estimated crowd of about 200 people packed into Washington Educational Services Building's board room, an adjoining overflow room and the second floor hallways. Legislators said more than 60 people signed up to speak. They were able to hear from about 45 people in the rapid-paced, two-hour session.

The lawmakers at the meeting included House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker; Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, Sen. Mary Olson, DFL-Bemidji; and Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd.

The majority of those speaking voiced concern about proposed cuts but some of the participants criticized state spending. Those who addressed the lawmakers were limited to two minutes.

This report offers a sampling of the comments from the two-hour session.

Brainerd School District Superintendent Steve Razidlo pointed out that lawmakers were meeting in the very room where Brainerd School Board had already made "large and necessary" cuts. He voiced support for the House education bill dubbed the "new Minnesota Miracle," maintaining that it was more equitable than other legislation.

Dr. Randy Card, a Crosby family physician, thanked lawmakers for recent health care reform but expressed concern about an increased number of the working poor who would no longer receive health insurance. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

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Brainerd City Administrator Dan Vogt said the Brainerd City Council made $678,000 in cuts this week, equaling about 7 percent of the city's working fund. The city is four police officers below the needed level and is talking about furloughs and wage freezes, he said. Vogt asked for a reduction in state mandates.

The Rev. Deb Celley of Brainerd asked for continued funding for the Perpich Center for the Arts, where her daughter is a student. She described the school as "one shining instance" of something good in Minnesota education.

"Arty kids think differently," she said. "They learn differently."

Judge Dave Ten Eyck said the Ninth Judicial District is eight positions short, with three of those positions in Crow Wing County.

"We don't have enough staff to keep up," he said.

Kathy Stevens, a licensed child care provider, noted that care providers often end up absorbing co-pays that aren't paid.

Carol Rose urged lawmakers to support H.F. 225 and S.F. 243, bills that establish the Brainerd Regional Human Services Center as a campus for federal offices, particularly those helping veterans.

"These people took care of us," she said of the veterans.

Tami Lueck of Bridges of Hope said 30 percent of Crow Wing County's population is classified as working poor. She said she was concerned that 113,000 people could lose health care benefits under Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposal.

Tom Prusak represented Brainerd Lakes Health System and said the governor's cuts disproportionally affected health and human services funding.

Glenn Anderson, executive director of Northern Pine Mental Health Center, said that among those who would lose the services of MnCare were many people with mental illnesses.

Tim Edinger, a parent, teacher and president of Education Minnesota Brainerd, voiced support for the new Minnesota Miracle education bill because he said it provides equitable funding. He described massive cuts that have been made in the Brainerd School District and increased classroom sizes.

"Reductions of this size hurts kids," he said.

Dr. Jim Dehen, immediate past president of the Minnesota Medical Association, said he was extremely disappointed with governor's budget as it related to health programs. The result will be more uninsured people going to emergency rooms for medical treatment, he said.

Bridget Allen of Lutheran Social Service urged lawmakers to support Faith in Action, Senior Companion and Meals on Wheels - programs that will help keep seniors in their homes, she said.

David Allan Pundt, a Republican who unsuccessfully ran for House District 12A in 2008, said the state's problems are similar to his debt and credit card problems of years ago.

"We have to stop spending," Pundt said. "We don't have a budget problem we have a spending problem."

John Magnuson of Brainerd, an American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees member, said this area needs good-paying jobs and fairness in taxation.

"Tax increases are not a bad thing," Magnuson said.

Bob Passi said Minnesota needed progressive taxation.

Attorney Brook Mallak encouraged funding for the sobriety court, which she said helps "people who were going to be thrown away by the system."

Pam Landers of the Lakeland Public Television Board encouraged lawmakers to consider public TV funding as part of the constitutional amendment for funding for the arts and the environment.

Martha Johnson of Backus, the president of a retiree group, asked, "Where is the discussion about bringing in more revenue?"

Lisa Paxton, chief executive officer of the Brainerd Lakes Chambe, cited a survey of members in which 18 percent expected to have to lay off employees. The chamber's advice to the Legislature was to: spend smart, live within your means and reduce spending.

Connie Nelson spoke on behalf of early childhood education programs.

Dr. Randy Card, a Crosby family physician, thanked lawmakers for recent health care reform but cited examples of people who likely would be ineligible for health insurance including a 17-year-old girl who didn't present herself for pre-natal care until she was 24 weeks pregnant.

Lance James of Brainerd said funding for the arts should not be ignored. His testimony included singing the title line from "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out."

Larry Lundblad, Central Lakes College president, said colleges have had significant cuts and noted that many of his students were non-traditonal and the first generation of their families to attend college.

Meg Bye, who ran unsuccessfully for House District 4B in 2008, said people were worried about the economy, jobs, health care and taxes.

"People in Minnesota are not averse to paying for what they think is important," she said.

Millie Engisch Morris said the Minnesota Arts Board deserves funding.

A woman spoke on behalf of the Minnesota Association of Townships and encouraged them to allow townships to opt out of certain mandates.

An Aitkin man said there have been enough state cuts and taxes would have to be raised.

One man said the DNR was out of control with too many people and too much money. He said education received considerable money and students can't write, add or subtract. He also warned of the threat of political Islam.

Crosby City Administrator Joel Peck said Local Government Aid was important to his city where the average income was $24,000 a year.

Crow Wing County Administrator Tim Houle said "We need fairness, flexibility and relief."

Nancy Adams, Pequot Lakes mayor, told of positions in the police department that might not be filled because of LGA cuts.

"While states look good, cities take the brunt of the anger," she said.

One man said Friday's speakers represented vested interests.

"I'm really surprised all these people weren't lined up in the hallway with a tin cup," he said.

Sue Beck, community services director for Crow Wing County, said there has been a 72 percent increase in intake for public assistance. She told legislators that two hours before her testimony she received chemotherapy treatments and described herself as being lucky because she has a job and insurance.

"We can't stop protecting our children," she said.

Molly Kurtzman, a Brainerd School Board member, said the school funding formula was inequitable.

Tom Lund, a Baxter business owner said the state suffered from "mission creep" and said the size of the Legislature should be cut in half.

"It's out of line with other states," Lund said.

Mary Koep, a Brainerd City Council member, said the state should combine economic development programs and consolidate programs in the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

When Koep exceeded her time limit and 10 -second warning, Speaker Kelliher smiled and said "Nice job of not looking at me for those 10 seconds."

Catrina Helseth, 19, was concerned about higher education cuts and child care grants. She said she is a single mother of a 4-year-old, a Central Lakes College student and a person who works 30 hours per week.

Bob Uppgaard, 85, said, "Health care is the No. 1 issue in our country."

MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.